Can a country of fewer than six million people steer the European Union through some of its biggest challenges? What will Ireland's priorities be during its six-month presidency of the Council of the EU? And can Dublin leave a lasting mark on the bloc's agenda?

These questions sparked this week's debate between Irish lawmakers Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) and Rose Conway-Walsh (Sinn Féin).

Both politicians clash over the opportunities and challenges facing the country at a pivotal moment for Europe. From negotiations on the EU's long-term budget to defence, technological sovereignty, and economic competitiveness, the Irish presidency will have to navigate a packed political agenda.

Listen to this edition of The Ring, brought to you from Europe House in Dublin.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is causing Europe's economic slowdown? Should the EU expand common debt? And what happens if the EU fails to reach an agreement?

These questions spark this week’s debate between EU lawmakers Pasquale Tridico (The Left) and Markus Ferber (European People’s Party).

Both MEPs clash over whether common debt is the answer to Europe's stagnant economy and weakened competitiveness after a Spanish proposal for Brussels to borrow as much as €850 billion each year to fund growth has revived a longstanding debate in the EU.

While Tridico argues that expanding common debt is “a matter of a well-built economy”, Ferber warns that “the markets will not trust us with more borrowing”. In this context, both MEPs weigh in on the fierce global competition facing Europe and the damaging impact on the bloc’s industries and economy.

What would be the economic cost for Europe if EU countries fail to find common ground?

Listen to this edition of The Ring, brought to you from the European Parliament studios in Brussels.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Belgium has become a key battleground in Europe's fight against organised crime. With the Port of Antwerp serving as one of the continent's main entry points for cocaine from Latin America, drug trafficking is fuelling violence, corruption and growing concerns about public security. As authorities step up their response, one question remains: is Belgium doing enough to tackle the drug trade?

This question sparks this debate between Brussels Mayor Philippe Close, from Socialist Party, and Brussels MP Mathias Vanden Borre from the opposition party N-VA. Close and Vanden Borre debate whether Belgium's current approach is working, clash over the balance between law enforcement and public health, and discuss how to curb the influence of organised crime while making the country's cities safer.

Listen to this special edition of The Ring, brought to you from our studios in Brussels.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.